What Does BIM Mean?

BIM (Building Information Modeling) is designing a built project in a computer based environment integrating all the information about the scheme into a 3D model. The model in conjunction with the information is shared with the other parts of the design team and is managed in a structured way. After a project is finished the final BIM model will reflect the as built project. This can be used to monitor the performance of the new building over its life-cycle and for facilities management, thus achieving the goal of forging a connection between capital expenditure and operational costs.

Model + Data = BIM Model

BIM models are digital 3D models to represent a component of a building enriched with information.

This information is like the digital DNA of the 3D object. Initially it will have information about its identity, its cost and its technical specifications. As the project is being designed there will be information specific to a model in a project. This information is eventually updated to reflect what has actually been built. When looking back at the BIM project, it will be possible to trace the history of each of the BIM models and relate this back to its real counter part.

When talking about a BIM model there are two very important differences.

BIM product models

These product models are representations of modular manufactured products such as a table, a lamp or a gas oven. These models are modular in nature, should have a degree of dynamic functionality and should be full of manufacturer’s data at a projects initiation.

BIM project models

These project models represent the elements of the building such as the walls, the ceiling or building’s structure. These models are infinitely changeable and bespoke, should have a considerable amount of complex dynamic functionality and will gather a great deal more information specific to the project.

Videos

What is BIM?

The “I” in BIM Concept

Worldwide BIM Adoption

BIM has been around for almost twenty years and was pioneered in the USA using indigenous software. In 2011 a new construction report produced in the UK highlighted the benefits of BIM and how it will greatly save building costs. The UK government then legislated for it to be adopted to level 2 for publicly funded projects by 2016. The EU are now advising member states to look at countries such as the UK, the Netherlands and Finland with open BIM standards incorporating the many different software applications used within Europe.

In many countries the use of BIM standard software will be a legal obligation for all public projects and, almost certainly, for all big projects. BIM is not a unique software but a new standard of design and communication between different parties.

Technology

Technology is ever improving with data storage and management becoming increasingly easy and more accessible. BIM is allowing the construction industry to take advantage of new technology in much the same way as other industries already have. Computers are prevalent in the design of almost everything, digital models are used to test the aerodynamic performance of aeroplanes or the fuel efficiency of the newest cars. Like-wise BIM enables construction professionals to collate and process information to an unprecedented level previously impossible using existing methods.

Today it is possible to locate virtually any product in a search engine and view its specifications. The next logical step is to have systems to handle and carry that information over without having to replicate it where it can then be managed and processed. BIM functions on this principal with information gathered at the start of a project, appended through its course and compiled for future use on completion.

Communication

One issue in the building industry is communication. Poor communication can lead to two major problems: time waiting for information to arrive and costly errors on site.

BIM is a method to communicate information about a project which decreases delivery times and greatly reduces costly site errors. New technologies have allowed for communication to occur between any two points and within seconds. The industry previously relied on telephone calls and physical mail to collaborate on a project; it has now progressed to using email and using CAD to communicate. The next logical step is for all this information to come together digitally as it does using BIM.

People are already using BIM to communicate now with the eventual goal of progressing to a real-time digital working environment. Engineers can see how a structural system works around the architect’s spatial organisation and construction strategy by working on a single model which will spawn all the drawing content and information. This model can be hosted in the cloud where it is readily accessible through the internet for all collaborators.

Efficiencies

BIM enables the design process to be more efficient by automating tasks and avoiding replication. A 3D model is created and then classified with information about its origins, then the model’s development and finally installation. This data is all used for the project’s prototyping stage, validation and ultimately the building’s maintenance.

3D geometry should be the basis from which all 2D geometry is derived. It enables minor changes to be made, say moving a single door, and the drawings will easily update without having to edit each individually. There is a lot more information in the 3D model and it is a closer representation of reality. This saves time and also reduces the risk of human error.

Replication is eliminated and this benefit is felt most when the information is gathered live from source. This results in time saved and reduced risks. Automatic referencing means that the information only needs to be changed at a single point and this once more eliminates human error.

Facilities and Management

BIM is generating a connection between capital expenditure, the cost of the building, and operational expenditure, the cost to run the building over its life-cycle. This is achieved in having every ounce of information about what was actually built in the BIM model and then that BIM model is archived as a resource. From here the performance of the complete structure can be tested and the model be utilised for facilities management.

This will create better performing more energy efficient buildings and the improvements for facilities management contribute by enabling the building to be better operated.

Autodesk® Revit®

Autodesk® helps customers experience their ideas before they’re real by providing innovative design software to visualise, simulate, and analyse the real-world performance of their design early in the design process. This gives their customers the flexibility to optimise and improve their designs before they actually create anything, helping to save time and money and improve quality. From the familiarity and productivity of AutoCAD® software to the competitive advantage of Revit® BIM, Autodesk® Architecture Solutions increase design and documentation productivity, improve coordination and collaboration, and help manage complex designs.

Graphisoft® ArchiCAD®

GRAPHISOFT® ignited the BIM revolution with ArchiCAD®, the industry-leading BIM software for architects over 30 years ago. With GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD’s Building Information Modeling approach, architects can explore design ideas with full confidence, knowing that every detail is being captured and all documents are synchronised. GRAPHISOFT® continues to lead the industry with innovative solutions such as the revolutionary GRAPHISOFT BIM Server™, the world’s first, real-time BIM collaboration environment, BIMx Docs with Hyper-Model Capability for mobile devices, and GRAPHISOFT EcoDesigner™ STAR, the world’s first fully integrated building energy modeling application. ArchiCAD® is the most advanced architectural design software on the market today, working for you from the first line in the initial sketch to the very last detail of construction documentation.

Trimble Sketchup

BiMUp 5D performs the Quantity Takeoff (QTO) = Bill of Materials (BOM) in US or Bill of Quantities (BOQ) in EU – All at a click of a button and at any design stage, allows you to Enrich/Embed the Data behind any SketchUp 3D models by adding required, component specific information, produce Adobe *.PDF or MS Excel *.CSV file with information associated with 3D model.

Nemetschek Allplan

Nemetschek is a globally leading producer of software for the AECM (Architecture, Engi-neering, Construction, Management) industry. With its 12 brands, the Nemetschek Group now serves more than 1.2 million users in 142 countries from more than 40 locations worldwide. Founded in 1963 by Professor Georg Nemetschek, the company focuses on innovations such as Open Building Information Modeling (Open BIM) for the AECM market of tomorrow.

Bentley Microstation

Bentley is the global leader dedicated to providing architects, engineers, constructors, and owner-operators with comprehensive architecture and engineering software solutions for sustaining infrastructure. Founded in 1984, Bentley has nearly 3,000 colleagues in more than 45 countries, $500 million in annual revenues, and, since 2001, has invested more than $1 billion in research, development, and acquisitions.

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BIM for Foodservice

Many countries are now requiring that all public projects must be designed using BIM (Building Information Modeling) certified software. Due to the advantages of integrated design contained within the BIM concept most large projects have already made the transition. The BIM approach is not unique to software but instead is new approach to facilitate the design and communication between different parties involved in the creation of commercial foodservice facilities. Consequently, new and emerging standards have been created to lessen confusion and allow the professional foodservice market participants to collaborate more efficiently.

The professional foodservice industry has taken a leadership position in adopting BIM for the following reasons:

A food service facility or is an integral part of a building project and often drives the design of critical mechanical subsystems in the overall building project.

In 2016 a World Wide Survey has been done from FCSI and it comes out that 83% of all BIM users are using Autodesk® Revit® as Software, this is why they started working on a document based on Revit, even if they considered also other software that can use IFC format.

Starting from the standards in use in USA for Revit they added additional parameters from the different Equipment Manufacturer. By using the same GUID for several languages, it is possible to load the required language in the project and it will be represented in the schedule always at the right place, avoiding a miss match of columns with similar parameters.

Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) is the respected and truly professional organization of men and women offering design and management consulting services, specialized in the foodservice and hospitality industry, across the world.

FCSI Consultants are now preparing themselves to move on BIM projects due to the continuous growing of big Contractors requests from all over the world. After a BIM software survey they are oriented to use Autodesk® Revit® as a platform.